Women’s Leadership & Governance
COVAW champions the inclusion of women in leadership and governance by ensuring their active and meaningful participation in decision-making processes across all levels and sectors.
Recognizing that gender equality in leadership is central to achieving SDG 5 on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, COVAW advocates for policies and practices that amplify women’s voices, dismantle systemic barriers, and create pathways for women to lead and influence change.
Through this focus area, COVAW works to advance the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule, foster inclusive governance, promote civic engagement, and nurture the next generation of women leaders and changemakers.
Our Objectives
Objective 1: Address Barriers to Women’s Participation in Leadership
COVAW will advocate for the full implementation of Kenya’s two-thirds gender rule, ensuring equitable representation in political, public, and private leadership spaces.
To dismantle the barriers that hinder women’s participation, COVAW will:
- Champion inclusion of women in key decision-making processes and institutions.
- Conduct leadership development programs for young and emerging leaders.
- Build the capacity of community paralegals and activists to drive grassroots advocacy.
- Provide civic and voter education to encourage women’s political participation and representation.
Objective 2: Strengthen Women’s Leadership Skills and Influence
COVAW will continue to equip grassroots and community women leaders with advocacy, governance, and communication skills, empowering them to influence policy and drive accountability in their communities.
This includes:
- Promoting media engagement to challenge gender bias in leadership representation.
- Advocating for gender-responsive budgeting and inclusive financing at both national and county levels.
- Supporting mentorship programs where seasoned women leaders guide and inspire emerging ones.
Impact Vision
Through these initiatives, COVAW envisions a society where women’s leadership is not the exception but the norm — where women and girls lead confidently, influence policies, and contribute equally to Kenya’s political, economic, and social transformation.
